Hans Wind
| Hans Wind | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | Hasse |
| Born | 30 July 1919 Ekenäs |
| Died |
24 July 1995 (aged 75) Tampere |
| Allegiance |
 Finland
|
| Service/branch | Finnish Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | LeLv 24 |
| Awards | Mannerheim Cross (awarded twice) |
| Other work | Businessman |
Hans Henrik "Hasse" Wind (30 July 1919, Ekenäs – 24 July 1995, Tampere) was a Finnish fighter pilot and flying ace in World War II with 75 confirmed air combat victories.
Wind started his pilot career in 1938 by volunteering to join a pilot training course. He was a reserve officer in the Winter War 1939-1940 but did not fly due to a lack of available planes. Wind had now decided to enter into a military career, and he finished training as a Lieutenant on 17 June 1941. Transferring to LeLv24 in August 1941, with which he participated in the Continuation War. He flew a Brewster B239 (the export version of the Brewster Buffalo) from 1941–1943 claiming 39 of his victories in the type. On 22 September 1941 Wind was credited his first kill, a I-15. In August 1942 the squadron was transferred to Römpötti to operate over the eastern Gulf of Finland. On 14 August 1942 Wind shot down two Hurricanes, and four days later a Hurricane and two I-16s. At the end of 1942 his score stood at 14.5 claims.
On 5 April 1943 Wind shot down three Il-2s. On 14 April Wind claimed 2 Spitfires, and on 21 April two Yak-1s and shared one with fellow ace Sgt Kinnunen.
Wind was awarded his first Mannerheim Cross on 31 July 1943 and his second on 28 June 1944. In August 1943 the unit converted to the Messerschmitt Bf 109G.
He was promoted to Captain on 19 October 1943 when 24 years old and was posted from front line duty in order to instruct new fighter pilots. Wind was considered one of the most skillful aerial tacticians in the Finnish Air Force, and Wind's 'Lectures on Fighter Tactics' were written in 1943 and used in the training of new pilots for decades to come.
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